Activities

Activities in Timaru

South Canterbury has something for everyone. Rainbow, Brown Trout and Salmon are in abundance, and it is one of the best places in the world for fly-fishing. The area has more golf courses per capita than anywhere else in New Zealand. There's local horse riding and hunting, and you can be picked up at the front door to go white water rafting at Rangitata. See the Artisan Gallery and Forge, the Temuka Pottery, and The Tin Shed, as well as the wonders at Geraldine Vintage Car and Machinery Museum. View the amazing Maori rock art, and take in the local winery, Opihi Vineyard.

Golf

Geraldine District Golf course provides 18 holes in a park-like setting, with views of Mt Peel and Four Peaks. Well-groomed fairways and greens make for excellent year-round playing conditions. Group bookings are welcome by prior arrangement. Bar facilities are available and you can hire clubs at Shell Station, or at the Club House. Green fees: unaffiliated and international visitors $20.00.

Geraldine - Ph 03 693 9154 / 025 672 4000

Other local courses:

Timaru Golf Club - Levels
Lynch Road - Seadown - Ph 03 688 2012

Gleniti Golf Club
Gleniti/Pages Road - Ph 03 686 0400

Temuka Golf Club
Domain Ave - Ph 03 615 7139

Walks

The South Island is known for its natural beauty and scenic splendor, and there are many great walks / treks in the local area. Only minutes from our Hotel in South Canterbury are a number of scenic areas ideal for a picnic or a moment of quiet reflection and relaxation. A short drive from our Hotel is the coast and a scenic walk on a mostly deserted beach of creamy white sands. Pleasant Point and Opihi have wonderful walks with fantastic Maori rock art. The interesting Kakahu Bush walk links the Geraldine area to the Pleasant Point area (brochures from Central South Island Tourism). In Timaru itself, take a stroll around the Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden.

Fishing

Throughout the South Island of New Zealand are numerous rivers and streams, teaming with prize Rainbow and Brown trout as well as Salmon. The fishing season is spectacular in South Canterbury. The season starts on the 1st October through to 30th April (for Salmon fishing check with the local information centre). Our Hotel is located in an absolute fishing mecca, all spots within a 30 minutes drive. To fish in the amazing scenery of South Canterbury is undoubtedly one of the best experiences you can have, and there are a number of local fishing guides and tours to help point you in the right direction of the best locations.

Hunting

The South Island of New Zealand hosts a range of wild life, from numerous deer species (red deer, Monarch of the Glen stags, multi-colored Fallow; majestic Wapiti or Elk, and the timid and elusive Whitetail), to Alpine Chamois, magnificently maned Tahr, and populations of feral sheep, goats and pigs. Waterfowl can be found in numerous ponds and streams, and small game such as Wallabies, Possums, Rabbits and Hares also roam freely. The area of South Canterbury offers the ideal environment for hunting enthusiasts, with local guides to point you in the right direction. Return to our hotel for a relaxing glass of wine after your safari or a pleasant night's rest in our luxury accommodation.

Skiing

In the winter wonderland that is South Canterbury, there are numerous skiing possibilities such as Fox Peak, Mt Dobson and Alpure Peaks at Fairlie, Round Hill at Tekapo, Mt Potts at Erewhon, Ohau at Lake Ohau, Mount Hutt, Mt Olypmia at Windwhistle to name but a few. Most of these ski fields have fantastic powder snow and are far less crowded than their more well-know counterparts in Wanaka and Queenstown. After a vigorous day in the snowy fields, come back to our hotel in the heart of South Canterbury and relax in our lap pool and/or spa.

Rafting

Just a short drive from our hotel is the Rangitata River, one of New Zealand's most exciting and scenic stretches of white water. This river provides rapids up to grade 5 regardless of climatic conditions. Few other rivers in the southern hemisphere can offer this, which makes it a must for any rafting enthusiast.

Reminiscent of scenes in Lord of The Rings, you will find the sheer grandeur and space of the phenomenal South Canterbury scenery absolutely overwhelming, with huge, unique rock formations formed by thousands of years of water cascading through the mountains of the central South Island.